A fascinating, poignant recounting of the history of the three Soong sisters, born at the end of the 19th C, who through marriage and circumstance found themselves at the centre of the upheaval and change in China at this time. I’ve been a fan of Jung Chang for a long time (decades) and this book not only met but exceeded my expectations. Meticulously researched and beautifully told – I would have expected not less.

I loved ‘Wild Swans’i It is the book I always quote as the most memorable I have ever read. Big sister, Little Sister, Red Sister now falls into this category. I was fascinated by the characters - I didn’t like most of them but they were fascinating. I lived through a great deal of this period of history but did not really understand what was happening in China and Taiwan at the time. Jung Chan has provided me with a depth of knowledge and insight into the lives of people who were merely names in history.
Thank you Jung Chan, Netgalley and the publishers for giving me this opportunity.

Big Sister, Little Sister, Red Sister by Jung Chan
This is a fascinating biography of the Soong sisters who, at times, each had significant influence during China's evolution from dynastic monarchy to nationalistic Republic to a Communist dictatorship. As one discovers how their lives develop so one learns about contemporary Chinese history and the part it must have played influencing China's current political thought and aspirations in the global world.
The sisters came from a wealthy Christian family, all schooled in America, their lives remained entwined despite divergent political thought and influences. Ei-ling, Big Sister, apparently highly religious was seen as greedy. She had significant influence and was married to a top Nationalist politician who was astute but financially corrupt to their personal benefit.
Ching-li, Little Sister, was a passionate follower and later wife of Sun Yat-sen, regarded as the founder of Nationalist China but never its supreme head. Following internal strife Chiang Kai-shek eventually came to power , fought valiantly against the Japanese invasion whilst given support by Russia. Russian influence grew and Chiang was ousted and he, with his followers, went to Taiwan where he ruled with strong US support. (The remnants of the split between the island and the Chinese mainland remains today.) Ching-li always liked the high life, flitting between China and US. Emelda Marcus comes to mind as a comparison.
Mai-ling, Red Sister, a steadfast supporter of Moscow and Stalinism was unmoved by the Nationalist rhetoric and worked for the growth of Communist China. Mao zi- Dong became the Leader with Mai a high ranking in the Party.
You need to read the book to understand the changing contexts in which they operated. All maintained their chosen life styles, could at times, seem public spirited whilst at others remote or blinkered as to the lives of most of the population. (It is hard to believe that Mai was not aware of the massive famine which accompanied Mao's programme of industrial reform at all costs. You will have to decide whether they were forces for good or ill. (cf The Mitford Sisters?)
The research Jung Chan has undertaken writing this book is outstanding. Sources are identified carefully making it an authorative text. With all of this I found it an informative pleasure to read.
Another winner from an outstanding author. The deserved plaudits will surely follow when it is published.

Highly Recommended.

An interesting account of the three Soong sisters, born in Shanghai at the end of the 19th century, and influential throughout the whole of 20th century Chinese politics.

A combination of biography and political history, the book explores the lives of the three sisters, how their politics, beliefs, faiths and passions diverge and reunite.

I did find this fairly heavy-going (Iet’s face it, political history isn’t the lightest topic!) but worth sticking at. The sisters are fascinating characters; although I really didn’t like them – spoilt, with a feeling of entitlement, and able to pull strings for their loved ones while the general populace suffered.

A long, hard, but interesting insight into some generally unknown but major characters in the recent history of China.

An interesting book written from the perspective of famous men's wives in China. It did not have the same flow as 'Wild Swans' as it kept covering the same period from the other sisters point of view. The Soong sisters must have been amazing ladies at a very turbulent time in China's history. I would have preferred a straight history of the period.

Brilliantly written and researched. This is the account of the part three sisters played in shaping 20th century China. It is an interesting read from which I learned a lot.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.